Apple's watchOS 26.5 Introduces Customizable Pride Luminance Watch Face

At a glance:

• Apple's watchOS 26.5 features a customizable Pride Luminance watch face with up to 12 rainbow colors.
• The face supports radial and linear gradient styles, rectangle and circle dial shapes, and animated color shifts.
• iOS 26.5 includes a matching Pride Luminance wallpaper with similar customization options.

What's New in watchOS 26.5

Apple's latest update to watchOS, watchOS 26.5, has introduced a standout feature: the Pride Luminance watch face. This customizable face is designed to celebrate pride and allow users to express their identity through color. The face supports up to 12 colors from a rainbow palette, including shades in-between, as well as black, white, brown, and gray. These colors can be arranged in either radial or linear gradient styles—radial looks like a starburst, while linear consists of rectangular lines. Users can also choose between a rectangle dial for edge-to-edge color or a circle dial that supports four complications.

Customization and Animation

One of the most impressive aspects of the Pride Luminance face is its level of customization. Apple's pre-selected colors represent different Pride flag colors, but users can also select their own favorite colors to create a unique look. When the wrist is down, the face shrinks into slim lines of color on a black background, and when the wrist is raised, the full color palette is displayed. The colors also shift slowly, adding an animated element to the design. This face is not just a static display; it's a dynamic way for users to express themselves.

Matching iOS 26.5 Wallpaper

The Pride Luminance theme isn't limited to the watch. iOS 26.5 includes a matching Pride Luminance wallpaper option that can be customized in the same way. Users can choose up to 12 colors for the Lock Screen and Home Screen. On the Lock Screen, the colors collapse onto a black background when the device is locked, providing a seamless experience across Apple's ecosystem.

Availability and Release

To get the new watch face, users need iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5. Apple has released RCs (Release Candidate) versions of the updates, and the public versions are expected to be released next week. This update is part of Apple's ongoing efforts to enhance the functionality and customization options of its Apple Watch, allowing users to personalize their devices in new and exciting ways.

Related Updates

Apple has also been rolling out betas for other platforms. On Monday, April 13, 2026, developers received the second betas of upcoming watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 betas for testing purposes. This software update comes two weeks after Apple released the first betas for each platform. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on when the public versions of these updates will be released.

Discussion and Community

Due to the political and social nature of the discussion regarding the Pride Luminance watch face, the discussion thread is located in Apple's Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts. This shows Apple's commitment to engaging with its community and addressing the diverse needs and preferences of its users.